FAMILY PROGRAMMING

Many programs require one to leave the home, family environment or even their state in order to engage in treatment. This system prevents families from being involved in the treatment process. CRC engages families and loved ones from the moment a patient enters program. CRC Institutes clinical foundation for our family programming are the C.R.A.F.T. and Motivation Enhancement Therapy modalities.

Community Reinforcement And Family Therapy (CRAFT): CRAFT takes a positive overall approach and steers away from shame, blame and confrontation. It is a culturally sensitive program that works with clients’ and their families on their own mores and beliefs to develop appropriate treatment plans. This dynamic program focuses on learning new skills to cope with old problems. Its components include learning to stay safe, outlining the contexts in which substance abuse occurs, teaching families to use positive reinforcers (rewards) while learning to set healthy boundaries. By using this method, families allow their loved ones to experience the natural consequences of their behavior. No one has better information about a substance abuser’s behavior patterns than close family members. Our therapists guide families the to use these tools and techniques in a positive way to increase the chances that the substance abuser will enter treatment. Research has shown that almost 70% of people who take the CRAFT program modalities to their loved ones have success engaging their loved ones into treatment and long term recovery. CRAFT takes people’s life circumstances into account as an active part of helping them change. Clients come to understand their behavior in the context of their entire lives, including their social support networks, triggers to use, motivations for changing, and need for a life that is rewarding enough to make giving up old behaviors worthwhile. The motivational and cognitive-behavioral bases of CRAFT serve as the basis for all treatment at CRC. Thus CRAFT is not a separate track – but a part of all the clinical work we do at CRC Institute.

Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET): MET is aimed at helping individuals identify and resolve ambivalence about alcohol and other drug use. MET is also called “motivational interviewing,” MET focuses on increasing motivation with the client and on setting small attainable goals. This treatment modality usually involves weekly sessions which focus is on encouraging discussion of their substance use and evoking change through motivational therapy, strategies, weekly planning and accountability. MET strategies include setting specific and attainable goals, planning for change, and encouraging internal ones own internal motivation. Individuals are often encouraged to bring partners or other loved ones to the sessions to help them in their process. Our therapist works alongside the individual to monitor positive change, identify negative triggers, and review ones coping and cessation strategies. The goal of MET is to resolve ambivalence and help individuals make changes to their substance-use patterns.

MET involves addressing four key components through a therapeutic approach:

Empathy: The therapist conveys empathy through reflective listening. This is intended to encourage understanding, build rapport, and help patients recognize that change is difficult. This part of the therapy is also known as engaging.

Developing discrepancy: The therapist helps the individual identify goals and values and how his or her current behaviors might be interfering with these. The therapist and patient work together to identify behaviors they want to change. This part of the therapy is also known as focusing.

Rolling with resistance: MET approaches aim to avoid direct confrontation. Instead of fighting resistance, ambivalence is treated as part of the process and something to be curious about. In this phase, “change talk” is elicited and reinforced.

Developing autonomy and self-efficacy: This is often the planning phase of therapy. Specific strategies are explored to plan for change and to manage crises and pitfalls that get in the way of it. Commitment and goal setting are often shared with family members in sessions to help reinforce changes.